100th Grey Cup: Invitation to our Nation

100th Grey Cup: Invitation to our Nation

TORONTO — At a launch event at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto, the 100th Grey Cup Festival committee unveiled details of the historic event coming to Toronto in November 2012.

The Festival will be a celebration of Canadian culture and sport, longer in length and broader in scope than ever before, spanning nine days, ten nights, and showcasing both the great game of Canadian football and the City of Toronto.

Rosedale Field – Home of the first-ever Grey Cup Championship in 1909.

“The 100th Grey Cup in 2012 will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the entire history of the Grey Cup and, in that way, celebrate our country, our game, and the unique bond between them,” said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

“It will also be a time to proudly and confidently launch our next 100 years. This will be a national celebration that will touch Canadians from coast to coast. And we’re thrilled it will culminate here in Toronto, where it all began with the very first Grey Cup in 1909.”

“We at the 100th Grey Cup Festival are honoured to be the custodians of a celebration that is so important to the cultural fabric of our country. We know how much it means to Canadians,” commented Chris Rudge, Chairman and CEO, 100th Grey Cup Festival.

“Our slogan for the 100th Grey Cup Festival is Invitation to our Nation. We want people from across this great land to gather in Toronto where our citizens, our businesses and our community all will be integral to the development of this event. We have been entrusted with this historic festival and plan to deliver a celebration that will be remembered for decades to come.”

The Festival will begin on Friday, November 16 with a gala launch of the new Football Film Festival, which will showcase a series of films all related to the sport of football, hosted in the Entertainment District.

The Grey Cup trophy will be delivered to the city by none other than St. Nick himself as the Festival plans to partner with another great Canadian icon, the annual Santa Claus Parade, on Sunday, November 18.

Throughout the festival, Yonge-Dundas Square will be home to an interactive Family Zone while the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will be Festival Central with traditional Grey Cup team parties, the Scotiabank CFL Experience, concerts and Molson Canadian beer gardens.

The 1959 Grey Cup Parade in downtown Toronto.

Planning is underway for a street festival on John Street, as well as an expanded Grey Cup Tailgate on Bremner Blvd. Many other unique events and activities will be announced as the committee moves forward.

“The City of Toronto is thrilled to host the 100th Grey Cup championship and festival,” said Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. “We are honoured to have such an exciting national and cultural celebration in Toronto, the city where the first Grey Cup game was held.”

“The 2007 Grey Cup game and festival delivered an $80 million economic impact to our region. We know the 100th can bring even more economic benefits and increase tourism to our great City. The door of Toronto is wide open and I encourage all Toronto residents to take part in this celebration.”

Ticket information for the 100th Grey Cup game and festival will be announced shortly. Toronto Argonauts season ticket holders will receive first access, ahead of the general public, to their same seats or equivalent.

The 100th Grey Cup Festival, to be held in Toronto in 2012, is an Invitation to Our Nation, uniting Canadians from coast-to-coast in Toronto for a nine-day, ten-night festival encompassing over 50 events ranging from traditional team parties, galas and player awards to a football film festival and family fun zone at great venues including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Yonge-Dundas Square. Complete with street closures, entertainment and activities, the 100th Grey Cup is a sport and cultural celebration like none before. The 100th Grey Cup will be played on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Rogers Centre.